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Ireland’s Medieval Landscape: Round Towers
“Look! Rapunzel’s tower!” This was a comment I heard a little girl excitedly tell her parents in Glendalough car park. She was pointing to the round tower behind the trees with utter glee in her face. Her reaction captures something essential about these structures: their height, their drama, and their…
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Early Irish Farming by Fergus Kelly: A Window into Ireland’s Agrarian Past
I believe it is time for a revival – not necessarily of all the older ways themselves, but in how we think about the land, and of the knowledge and control we once had over what we eat. Ireland is at a crossroads, and much of what once grounded life…
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Mercosur and the Future of European Farming
What is the Mercosur Agreement, and why are so many people protesting it? What does it mean for modern farming? And why does the European Union want us to agree to it? How this will impact Ireland and the rest of Europe, one can only guess. But Europe’s citizens are…
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Let’s Brighten January: Seasonal Mood-Boosting Foods
January can feel long, dark, and chilly, but the right foods can help lift the spirits and restore energy. Even in mid-winter, Ireland provides a range of mood-lifting, nutrient-rich produce. Root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and celeriac bring natural sweetness and comforting warmth to soups, roasts, and stews. Potatoes provide…
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Oak & Oolite Favourite Books of 2025
This is a collection of books I read and returned to over the past year, each reflecting the themes and values at the heart of Oak & Oolite. From explorations of the land, history, and the flavours of life, to works that inspire connection, resilience, and shared experience, these books…
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Storytime for Ages 6-7: A Surprise Christmas Star
On a cold, frosty December afternoon, Holly put on her sparkly jumper and woolly coat and walked to her friend Cillian’s house for a Christmas party. The house was bright with twinkly lights, paper snowflakes, and happy music. Everyone was laughing and playing games. Soon it was time for food.…
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Solstice and Reading the Sky in Prehistory
At this time of year during the winter solstice, Ireland offers stunning views of sunlight streaming into the chamber of the passage tomb Newgrange in County Meath, one of the world’s most famous prehistoric monuments. But what exactly is a solstice, and how did people in the past understand it?…
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Christmas Tree Tea
Have you ever walked past your Christmas tree, gotten that lovely pine needle scent, and thought, “Hmm these smell good enough to eat”? Or, is that just me? Christmas Tree Tea lets you actually enjoy that fresh, evergreen aroma in a cup – made from safe, fresh pine needles and…
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Home Spiced Coffee: A Small Winter Gift to Yourself
For most, ‘tis the season to be hectic. Whether it’s working, planning, wrapping, cooking, baking, shopping, partying, travelling, or just dealing with a busy mind, things at this time of year can weigh heavily on our wellbeing. In the middle of it all, we often forget that winter is also…
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Winter Orange & Cardamom Baked Rice Pudding (Gluten-Free)
With the cold winds blowing and the threat of snow in its breeze, it’s time for a warming traditional sweet treat to soothe and uplift – rice pudding has always been one of those recipes. At this time of year it benefits from a touch of citrus brightness and fragrant…
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Fire and One Million Years of Cooking
I have just returned from a walk, and it is safe to say that today feels like the first day of winter – the coldest day of the year so far (it’s –1°C as I write). Passing the houses in my neighbourhood, I could already see Christmas beginning to take…
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Acorn Tea: A Taste of the Forest
Collecting wild foods is something I never imagined I would do but recently I have been thinking about food and questioning the following: Supermarkets are failing us. And in terms of human history, they’re a very recent phenomenon. Large supermarkets only became common after World War II when economic growth,…
